Texas officials rededicated the restored Alamo Cenotaph on Veterans Day, marking 85 years since the monument’s original dedication, which honored the 189 defenders who died in the historic battle.
The ceremony at San Antonio’s Alamo Plaza celebrated the completion of a year-long preservation project for the granite memorial, officially known as the Spirit of Sacrifice monument. The Texas General Land Office and Alamo Trust, Inc. hosted the patriotic event.
The restoration ensures the 85-year-old monument will endure for future generations. Workers replaced deteriorating brick infill, fixed the drainage system, and secured marble stones that had shifted over decades.
“This granite monument stands as the headstone for all 189 courageous Defenders who gave their lives during that fateful 13-day siege and battle for independence,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham. “This Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the Alamo’s Defenders and the service of our veterans who remind us that the price of freedom is never free; it is fought for and preserved by the sacrifices of the men and women who selflessly serve our nation.”
Preservation experts used laser and steam cleaning techniques to restore the marble’s natural shimmer. The meticulous work revealed intricate carvings that had been obscured by decades of weathering.
Alamo Trust President Hope Andrade emphasized the monument’s enduring significance. “The Cenotaph stands not only as a memorial to sacrifice, but as a living symbol of courage and unity that continues to inspire us today,” Andrade said.
She added: “The Cenotaph must always stand – right here, where it has always stood, as a permanent reminder of what this site represents.”
The original 1940 dedication also occurred on Veterans Day. That timing links the Alamo defenders’ sacrifice to modern military service.
Future enhancements will add landscaping and lighting around the monument. These improvements align with sculptor Pompeo Coppini’s original vision for the memorial.
The Cenotaph serves as a symbolic grave marker for those who died in the defense of the mission. Their sacrifice during the 1836 siege became a rallying cry for Texas independence.
The restoration project represents Texas’s commitment to preserving historical landmarks. State officials ensured the monument remained in its original location throughout the work.
Buckingham made history in 2022 as Texas’s first female Land Commissioner. She oversees disaster recovery, energy resources, public education funding, veteran services, and border security initiatives.